[1] A foreshock hit the Aterno River valley on 16 November before two much larger tremors struck on the 27th, a few hours apart beginning at 21:05[2] (although some historical sources say just after 05:00[3][4]).

The main shock had an estimated magnitude of 6.4,[2] with its epicenter very close to the village of Poggio Picenze near the Aterno river south-east of L'Aquila.

[2] The quake sent many residents of Abruzzo running out of their houses in the night, and two hours later it was followed by a powerful aftershock which further destroyed L'Aquila's already severely-damaged buildings.

The villages of Poggio Picenze, Onna, Sant'Eusanio Forconese, Castelnuovo and their castles (all within 8 kilometers of the main shock's epicenter)[2] were completely wiped out by the violent shaking.

Many residents refused to return to their unstable homes because of the frequent tremors, opting to transfer their tents from the countryside into town squares to avoid collapsing masonry.